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Original poster

Every other car is a Tesla and/brand new!

193 replies

LudoBear · 03/04/2021 13:57

I've noticed what seems to be every other car I've seen has either been a Tesla, a 20/70/21 reg car or both. Seems to be since covid more People have had new cars! Anybody else noticed this? I don't live in an affluent area

OP posts:
Brogues · 03/04/2021 19:07

I have a Tesla just to piss off people on mumsnet. Looks like it works.

sqirrelfriends · 03/04/2021 19:08

Loads round here too, there used to be loads of range rovers but they've disappeared to be replaced by Tesla's, Q5s and Porsche cayennes. The naice road (with the big houses) has a 2020/21 plates on most of the driveways.

I will add that our cars are "normal" run of mill makes and a few years old now. I just don't see the point of spending so much an a car.

Alsohuman · 03/04/2021 19:15

@Etulosba

Our son is learning to drive at the moment so definitely considering one for him.

It will mean he will get an auto only licence.

No it will mean he’s got a licence to drive a manual but then owns an automatic. Just like me and most other automatic drivers.
sirfredfredgeorge · 03/04/2021 19:23

I have a company car. I don’t need it for work, it’s just part of the package that they offer as well as salary/bonus/pension etc. A perk. Why shouldn’t I get it?

Because the external costs of providing you with a car are greater than the tax you pay - ie it's essentially just a tax avoidance mechanism. It would be more efficient for society as a whole if you were simply paid more, but instead the company and you benefit, whilst the rest of society loses out.

It's not as great as it once was of course, but it would better for society as a whole if you were simply paid cash and chose yourself how to spend it.

Etulosba · 03/04/2021 19:35

No it will mean he’s got a licence to drive a manual but then owns an automatic. Just like me and most other automatic drivers.

You posted before reading to the end of the thread, didn't you?

VenusClapTrap · 03/04/2021 19:40

I have a Tesla. Bought it outright and intend to keep it for at least ten years, like my previous cars. Bought it pre-Covid though so it’s not brand spank new any more. There do seem to be more around now than when we bought it, but that doesn’t really surprise me because it’s such a great car.

It’s easily the best car I’ve ever had.

Vierty · 03/04/2021 20:18

I’ve got a lease car. Means nothing. I could afford to buy but can’t see the point. I like cars, I see no need to own a depreciating asset and I like a new car every few years. Nothing to do with stealth.

Alsohuman · 03/04/2021 21:22

@Etulosba

No it will mean he’s got a licence to drive a manual but then owns an automatic. Just like me and most other automatic drivers.

You posted before reading to the end of the thread, didn't you?

No.
StealthPolarBear · 03/04/2021 21:25

Five years ago I used to point out any tesla we'd see to ds as they wwere so rare and he was a bit obsessed by them.
Now we usually see three or four on every ten minute school run.

StealthPolarBear · 03/04/2021 21:26

They are smart cars.

Kollamoolitumarellipawkyrollo · 03/04/2021 21:29

Yes lots of Teslas! The windscreen is so low on them - I don’t like how much you can see in them.

M0rT · 03/04/2021 21:33

Just wondering for the people who lease their cars, do they have to go back in excellent condition?
I would like an electric car but don't have a driveway to charge one in so will probably go hybrid next.

ZednotZee · 03/04/2021 21:34

Gosh people have different priorities and that's ok and really none of anybody else's business.

My car is ten years old for transparency and I see lots of new cars on the roads but mainly Jukes and Q5s around these parts. I could afford one on lease but I prefer to spend it on other things, other people prioritise a new car, so what exactly?

RMRM · 03/04/2021 21:36

My brother's work had a deal where they'd only have to pay half the cost of the lease of electric cars. He looked at Teslas but his wife said she couldn't be seen doing the school run in it as it was too embarrassingGrin. Maybe they've got a deal like that?

dividedwefall · 03/04/2021 21:37

@M0rT

Just wondering for the people who lease their cars, do they have to go back in excellent condition? I would like an electric car but don't have a driveway to charge one in so will probably go hybrid next.
I don't lease at the moment but have done. No they don't have to go back pristine. Normal wear and tear is fine, but any damage will have to be paid for. I had a dint professionally repaired before returning my car and it was accepted as perfect, no charge.

After returning it I got the price list Audi would have charged if I returned it with the dint and it was less than I paid to repair it so in future I would hand back damaged (if I had damaged it)

LawnFever · 03/04/2021 21:37

I have no idea, I literally take no notice of what cars other people drive or what plate they are I honestly have no interest whatsoever

RMRM · 03/04/2021 21:37

^the one with the foldy up doors, was the one she meant.

IheartJKR · 03/04/2021 21:45

We bought our Tesla outright 5 years ago. Without a doubt the best car we’ve ever owned.
All the model 3’s littering the roads pisses me off royally.

They are the new BMW drivers ...No class.

UnaLength · 04/04/2021 05:18

My DH was made redundant last summer and his company car went back. It was an electric hybrid BMW 3 Series. We haven't been able to afford to replace it with anything else at all and are getting by with one old banger.

Doomsdayiscoming · 04/04/2021 07:06

Off topic, but I find Tesla a strange business.

Currently they are seen as a status symbol, high end, sought after product.

But to become a viable business they will have to enter the main stream. Will they be so high end when they do basic, “cheap” models?

So then these people with Tesla’s now will want to get rid sharpish. Which makes leasing a very good idea.

Oblomov21 · 04/04/2021 07:08

We have always bought our cars outright. Just bought a hybrid. I often wonder if we are missing a trick though. I have talked to Dh. He prefers it, so I give up and just let him deal with it.

Yesterday he was cleaning and polishing and valeting my new (not new new) Hyundai hybrid. I just adore driving it. It makes me so happy.

Everyone else in the world seems to lease. I can't accept that it's cheap though. It must cost a lot each month. For a new car. And a Really good one, powerful, comfortable?

Holyforkingshirtball · 04/04/2021 07:28

@Doomsdayiscoming

Off topic, but I find Tesla a strange business.

Currently they are seen as a status symbol, high end, sought after product.

But to become a viable business they will have to enter the main stream. Will they be so high end when they do basic, “cheap” models?

So then these people with Tesla’s now will want to get rid sharpish. Which makes leasing a very good idea.

The Model S & X were the 'high end'. They've already gone mainstream with the 3 & the new Y. They cost the same as the new electric VW/BMW equivalent but still with a little bit of caché of not being one of the big brands
MummyShah369 · 04/04/2021 07:39

I guess people earn a lot more and have spare cash maybe inheritance side business etc to be able to afford the cars. Some of furlough probably do a side gig, also due to covid no ones spending on holidays eating out etc... so lots of savings for the ones that have a good income.

SquirmOfEels · 04/04/2021 07:43

There are loads of new cars in London because of the new emissions zone (meant to start this month but cos covid will be October)

Cost of a Tesla overlaps with cost of a Skoda hybrid, so if you buy your car yourself the 'brand' difference to prove might not be that great

JanewaysBun · 04/04/2021 07:53

I think people are just more into electric cars nowadays? I know nothing about cars though so would only be impressed by a cool vintage one haha

I hope to get an electric car before long. I've had a BMW and skoda recently and far preferred the Skoda so will likely stick with that make.